4/28/08

Basil is headed back to California tomorrow. I got off of work at 2:15pm and decided to take a hike to Waimano Falls in Pacific Palisades. Beginner hike? Fuck no. We got to the trailhead a little before 3pm. This hike has a hill aptly named "cardiac hill," and consists of a shitload of roots and colored with red dirt. I couldn't believe the descent of this hill to the stream. It was steep and long, and even after that descent, there was still more descending, this time on a trail made of rocks and dirt. The trail started off on a paved road and then eventually became dirt. Then came the hills, then the rock descents, and then came a fork to two trails. I didn't follow the directions in the hiking guide too well. We ended up taking a right side trail off the fork and was on an overgrown trail. As the trail ended we ended up in an eerie camping site with a tarp set up and two fire pits. The camp was situated under a pretty large tree. There were no trails anywhere beyond this point so we turned around and decided to just hike back to the trailhead. It was 4:15pm, and we rested just below a rock cliff. After resting we immediately changed our minds and took back to the trail, this time taking the left fork. We reached the end of the trail at Waimano Falls, but the stream and waterfall were dried up. I'll remember to check this place out after a nice rainfall. I've seen pictures of this place, and it looks unreal when the waterfall is gushing. The trip back up was the most tiring part of the hike. "Cardiac hill" is the perfect name for the rooty red-dirt hill that we had to scale. There is no way in hell someone can hike up the hill if they are out-of-shape or obese. After reaching the top my tanktop was completely soaked. We got to our car around 5:15pm. Lesson learned: Wait for rain next time and be prepared to fucking sweat cause cardiac hill will decrease your waistline by two sizes. This hike ain't beginner; it's more of an intermediate hike. Basil took some pictures.

4/27/08

Basil and I did the Hau'ula Loop Trail today. We started around 11pm and finished the loop around 1pm. We went down a private road from the start and got lost. We followed the directions in the hiking guide and finally found the trailhead. From what I've read, the Hau'ula Loop Trail is a beginner hike. This is the first hiking trail I've ever done and the initial switchback sections were a bitch and definitely not recommended for someone who is out of shape. I was breathing hard and sweating so much from ascending for what seemed about a mile. But the top -- 700 feet -- had a good view of La'ie Point and Kaipapa'u Gulch. The descent back to the trailhead into Waipilopilo Gulch was harsh on our knees, but it was the nicest trail section of the hike, and there was a good view looking down on Hau'ula Town. We ate some berry-like fruits on the hike, but Basil said they were mountain apples. They might've been; I'll call it berries. The hike was short. I think it was a little over 2.5 miles. I'll probably try the Papali Loop next week that starts near the same trailhead. I heard it's a little more difficult and not as popular as the Hau'ula Loop. Below are some pictures Basil took with his digital camera.

*All blog entries written and photos shot by Kaleo Lancaster unless otherwise noted. Do not use photos without permission.

*The hiking trails featured on this website are dangerous regardless of its difficulty and/or your abilities and skills. Trail conditions can change in an instant. What was once there may not be there when you do it. If you attempt any of the hiking trails posted on this website, Kaleo Lancaster and Island Trails is NOT responsible for you or anyone being arrested, lost, rescued, hurt, and/or killed. Remember, it is your choice to get outside and hike.